The Mexican Senate approved on Tuesday wide-ranging legislation that recognizes animals as sentient beings and prohibits their mistreatment and cruelty as it holds owners or caregivers accountable for their health, nutrition, living conditions and mental well-being.

Though most notably aimed at the 69% of Mexican households that include pets (totaling some 80 million animals, according to the national statistics agency INEGI), the law would apply to all animals under human care, including those used in sports and entertainment; those on exhibition in zoos, aquariums or educational farms; those used in marketing; and even animals being raised for human consumption

The bill, formally the General Law on Animal Welfare, Care, and Protection, passed the Senate on a 115-1 vote. It amends provisions of the Federal Laws on Animal Health and on Film and Audiovisual Media, as well as the General Laws on Wildlife, Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection and Civil Protection. It is now being debated in the Chamber of Deputies.

Mexico ranks first in Latin America and third worldwide in terms of animal abuse, with more than 10,000 formal complaints of animal abuse registered between 2024 and 2026. 

The Mexican Constitution prohibits animal abuse. But in recognizing animals as sentient beings with rights, the new law would go further by  establishing obligations for people who have animals in their care, such as providing them food, water, veterinary care and a suitable place to live.

Failing to do so — or taking any action or making any omission that causes pain or suffering, or endangers the life and well-being of animals — will be considered a punishable offense subject to a fine,, administrative arrests of up to 36 hours, confiscation of the animals, closure of establishments, or the revocation of permits or concessions.

Furthermore, the bill establishes that anyone who mistreats or abandons an animal will be responsible for its veterinary care, rehabilitation and shelter costs. In addition, it supports the creation of abuse reporting mechanisms and a national registry of animal welfare violators. 

PAN Sen.Gina Gerardina Campuzano González from Mexico’s PAN political party said that the bill seeks to open a new chapter for animal protection, especially in Mexico, where  she says seven out of 10 animals suffer abuse, “so we are not talking about an isolated problem.”

 With reports from Grupo Animal and Publimetro México